Championing radical libertarianism didn't make it easy to advance in my profession as a political philosopher. At least not until after Robert Nozick from Harvard gave libertarianism currency in 1974.

I had a hard time but published much and got so-so jobs even before Nozick's book appeared.

Had I had different political views, I'd have done better but, all in all, it didn't impede my life too much.

Visiting Hungary

I married - eventually three times - and have three great children (starting with Kate, when I was 40, Thomas, a year later, whom I adopted, and Erin, when I was 45). We are extremely close.

I am now single and live in Southern California.

I teach at Chapman University. I also advise Freedom Communications by writing columns, books, papers, essays, and giving talks around the world.

I visit my mother, now 85 years old, once a year. She managed to leave Hungary in 1974 and has lived in Freilassing, southern Bavaria ever since.

I have been back to Hungary several times - in 1974, 1990, and 1997.

It is better now, but it takes a long time to recover from the kind of devastation socialism wreaks.

Tibor's memoirs: The Man Without A Hobby, Adventures of a Gregarious Egoist (Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books, 2004), will be published by Hamilton Books later this year.

Your comments:

Well, this story got me really surprised. I've always watched a lot of films about situations like that, people running away from the government, but I never thought that something like it could happen. In my opinion you are a wonderful person, who had to fight for your rights and ideas, you try to get the best of your experience. You teach us that when you have an objective, you must fight for them! I guess that you are a great example of willpower!Gaby Vicari, Belem, Brazil

It's great story and shows us that running away sometimes can be the best solution. You had a bad relation with your father, but it was crucial for you to find courage to try a new life. Nowadays you are strong person and demonstrate an enormous capacity of independence. Although your father contributed to construct your great personality it was involuntary.Renato de Oliveira Costa, Belém, Brazil

I have lived in Hungary for nearly 10 years and like you am trying to get out!

Andy, Budapest

Tibor, your story is typical of these incredible BBC pages. I have lived in Hungary for nearly 10 years and like you am trying to get out! The harm Socialism created, we expats thought would take 20 years to put right. However man's mortality, and a resentment of being wronged for over 50 years by the authorities, created an understandable need for immediate personal gain. This is spurred on by obvious corruption in government agencies, all to the detriment of your neighbour and fellow citizens. EU accession could not have come sooner for these former Soviet countries. They will be a money pit for years and that 20 year clock has been reset many times already.
Andy, Budapest, Hungary

This guy is a bonafide patriot and his story is all about what we, as Americans, hope we never forget.Bill Sims, San Antonio, TX, USA

Having been an immigrant for eight years myself, I strongly agree with Tibor's principle that "individuals either do, or do not help themselves" - it is crucial even if they have helping hands extended to them. Being alone in a totally different environment with no family or friends can be devastating unless one is prepared to be totally independent and strong. A truly remarkable and inspiring account of a harsh journey.Gaya Nadarajan, Malaysia